ABSTRACT
Converting Enzyme (ACE) Activity .......................................... 304 12.4 Effects of Ginger and Turmeric Rhizomes on Endothelial
Nitric Oxide Synthase (ENOs) and Arginase Activities ............ 305 12.5 Effects of Ginger and Turmeric Rhizomes on
Inflammatory Cytokines ............................................................ 306 12.6 Effects of Ginger and Turmeric Rhizomes on
Platelets Purinergic Systems ...................................................... 307 12.7 Effects of Ginger and Turmeric Rhizomes on
Antioxidant Status ...................................................................... 309 12.8 Summary .....................................................................................311 Keywords ...............................................................................................311 References ............................................................................................. 312
12.1 INTRODUCTION
Hypertension is a part of the metabolic syndrome in which the blood pressure is elevated. Persistent hypertension has been linked to several cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) such as stroke, heart attack, and heart failure [56]. The oxidative stress (OS) associated with these diseases can result in inflammation of the heart [29]. Evidence has shown that these diseases are caused by free radicals [38]. Oxidative stress results from either a decrease in natural cell antioxidant capacity or an increase in the amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in organisms.
